PYRAMUS AND THISBE J.F. Lampe (1745)
Characters
Mr Semibrief -
Thisbe (soprano), the inamorata of the above
Prologue
and Lion (baritone), warm-
Synopsis
It is 1745 and Italian opera is all the rage. Mr Semibrief thinks
he has all the answers. He will mount an opera in the fashionable Italian style based
on a tragic myth from Babylon. With an English text and English singers, he will
save money, revitalise English opera and make his fortune. He invites a Gentleman
who has just returned from a tour of Italy and who might come up with some cash,
to see his new work.
Backstage at the theatre, they prepare to see a rehearsal. First of all they are entertained by the overture